Major Controversies Surrounding Bill Clinton: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Bill Clinton—discover key moments of controversy.

Bill Clinton served as the 42nd U.S. President from 1993 to 2001. A Democrat, he previously served as Arkansas's Attorney General and Governor. His political ideology, known as "Clintonism", centered on a centrist "Third Way" approach. This philosophy significantly shaped his presidency and influenced the Democratic Party for decades.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1968: Educational Draft Deferment

During the Vietnam War, Bill Clinton received educational draft deferments while he was in England in 1968.

1978: Alleged Rape by Clinton

In the spring of 1978, Juanita Broaddrick alleges that Bill Clinton raped her, although she could not recall the exact date. Broaddrick claimed to have told multiple witnesses in 1978 she had been raped by Clinton.

1985: Half-Brother Roger Sentenced

In 1985, Bill Clinton's half-brother Roger was sentenced to prison for possession and smuggling of cocaine.

1987: Don Henry and Kevin Ives Killing

In 1987, the killing of Don Henry and Kevin Ives started conspiracy theories that accused Bill Clinton and Arkansas authorities of a cover-up.

1991: Alleged unwanted advances towards Paula Jones

In 1991, President Clinton allegedly made unwanted advances towards Paula Jones, which later led to a sexual harassment lawsuit in 1994.

1992: Draft Controversy During Campaign

During the 1992 campaign, it was revealed that Bill Clinton's uncle had attempted to secure him a position in the Navy Reserve. Clinton's actions regarding the draft were criticized.

1992: ROTC Application Controversy

During the 1992 presidential campaign, Colonel Eugene Holmes stated that he suspected Bill Clinton attempted to manipulate the situation to avoid the draft.

1992: Capital Punishment Stance

In 1992, Bill Clinton insisted that Democrats "should no longer feel guilty about protecting the innocent". During his final term as governor, Clinton flew home to Arkansas mid-campaign to affirm the execution of Ricky Ray Rector.

April 19, 1993: FBI raid on Branch Davidian community near Waco, Texas

On April 19, 1993, Attorney General Janet Reno authorized the FBI to deploy tear gas into the buildings of the Branch Davidian community near Waco, Texas, in an attempt to end a 51-day siege. The buildings subsequently caught fire, resulting in the deaths of 75 residents, including 24 children.

May 19, 1993: Clinton fired seven employees of the White House Travel Office

On May 19, 1993, Bill Clinton fired seven employees of the White House Travel Office, leading to the White House travel office controversy.

November 1993: David Hale's allegation against Bill Clinton

In November 1993, David Hale alleged that while Bill Clinton was Governor of Arkansas, Clinton pressured him to provide an illegal $300,000 loan to Susan McDougal.

1993: Start of Relationship with Epstein

In 1993, Bill Clinton began a relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, which lasted until 2003.

1993: Kathleen Willey Allegation

In 1993, Kathleen Willey alleged that Bill Clinton had groped her in a hallway. An independent counsel later determined Willey provided "false information" to the FBI.

1993: Minimizing import tariffs and offering China most favored nation status

In 1993, President Clinton aimed to increase trade with China, minimizing import tariffs and offering the country most favored nation status. He initially conditioned this status on human rights reforms, but ultimately decided to extend the status despite a lack of reform.

September 1994: Clinton signs the Omnibus Crime Bill into law

In September 1994, President Clinton signed the Omnibus Crime Bill into law, expanding the death penalty to include crimes not resulting in death and including a subsection of assault weapons ban for a ten-year period.

1994: Paula Jones initiates lawsuit against Clinton

In 1994, Paula Jones initiated a sexual harassment lawsuit against President Clinton, claiming that he had made unwanted advances towards her in 1991.

June 1996: White House FBI files controversy arose

In June 1996, the White House FBI files controversy arose concerning improper access by the White House to FBI security-clearance documents.

September 21, 1996: Clinton signs the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) into law

On September 21, 1996, President Clinton signed into law the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), defining marriage for federal purposes as the legal union of one man and one woman and allowing individual states to refuse to recognize gay marriages from other states.

1996: Chinese foreigners made contributions to Clinton's reelection campaign

In 1996, it was found that several Chinese foreigners made contributions to Bill Clinton's reelection campaign and the Democratic National Committee, which violated United States law.

1996: 1996 United States campaign finance controversy

In 1996, the United States faced a campaign finance controversy involving alleged efforts by China to influence domestic policies during the Clinton administration, which also included scrutiny of the administration's fundraising practices. The Chinese government denied all accusations.

February 1997: Donors stayed in the White House

In February 1997, it was discovered that 938 people had stayed at the White House and that 821 of them had made donations to the Democratic Party and got the opportunity to stay in the Lincoln bedroom as a result of the donations, including Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Jane Fonda, and Judy Collins.

March 19, 1998: Julie Hiatt Steele Accusation

On March 19, 1998, Julie Hiatt Steele, a friend of Kathleen Willey, released an affidavit accusing Willey of asking her to lie and corroborate Willey's account of being sexually groped by Bill Clinton in the Oval Office.

April 1998: Dismissal of Paula Jones' sexual harassment lawsuit

In April 1998, Judge Susan Webber Wright initially dismissed Paula Jones' sexual harassment lawsuit against President Clinton on the grounds that it lacked legal merit. Jones later appealed this ruling.

August 1998: Clinton admits to affair with Monica Lewinsky

In August 1998, President Clinton admitted to having an affair with Monica Lewinsky, which gained traction for Paula Jones' appeal in her sexual harassment lawsuit against him.

August 1998: Cruise missile strikes on terrorist targets in Afghanistan and Sudan

In August 1998, President Clinton ordered cruise missile strikes on terrorist targets in Afghanistan and Sudan, including the Al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory in Sudan, suspected of assisting bin Laden in making chemical weapons, and bin Laden's terrorist training camps in Afghanistan, in response to the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in East Africa. The Al-Shifa factory's destruction resulted in one employee death and a medicine shortage in Sudan. U.S. officials later acknowledged a lack of evidence of nerve gas production at the plant, which drew criticism of Clinton.

October 1998: Settlement offer in Paula Jones lawsuit

In October 1998, President Clinton's attorneys tentatively offered $700,000 to settle the Paula Jones sexual harassment case, which was then the $800,000 which Jones' lawyers sought. Clinton later agreed to an out-of-court settlement and paid Jones $850,000 to end the lawsuit.

December 1998: House began impeachment hearings against Clinton

In December 1998, the House of Representatives began impeachment hearings against Bill Clinton before the mid-term elections.

December 19, 1998: Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives

On December 19, 1998, Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives for perjury and obstruction of justice.

1998: Juanita Broaddrick Allegation

In 1998, Juanita Broaddrick alleged that Bill Clinton had raped her in the spring of 1978. Broaddrick stated that she had told multiple witnesses about the rape in 1978.

1998: Impeachment proceedings

In 1998, President Clinton faced impeachment proceedings, which ultimately led to his highest approval rating.

1998: Lewinsky Scandal Impact

In 1998, the Lewinsky scandal had an enduring impact on Clinton's legacy. The scandal's impact extends beyond his impeachment.

January 1999: Impeachment Trial Begins

In January 1999, Bill Clinton's impeachment trial began in the Senate.

February 12, 1999: Senate acquitted Clinton of impeachment charges

On February 12, 1999, the Senate acquitted Bill Clinton of both impeachment charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.

March 24, 1999: Start of NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia

On March 24, 1999, Clinton authorized the use of U.S. Armed Forces in a NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia, named Operation Allied Force, to stop the ethnic cleansing of Albanians in Kosovo. Prior to the bombing campaign, approximately 1,800 civilians had been killed in the year-long conflict in Kosovo.

June 10, 1999: End of NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia

On June 10, 1999, the NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia, known as Operation Allied Force, ended with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. The resolution placed Kosovo under UN administration and authorized a peacekeeping force for the region.

1999: Clinton criticizes the implementation of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy

In 1999, President Clinton expressed criticism regarding the implementation of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, stating that its application was "out of whack".

1999: Continuation of impeachment proceedings

In 1999, the impeachment proceedings against President Clinton continued, and his approval rating reached its highest point.

March 2000: Independent Counsel determined there was no credible evidence of any crime

In March 2000, Independent Counsel Robert Ray determined there was no credible evidence of any crime regarding the White House FBI files controversy.

January 19, 2001: Clinton's law license was suspended for five years

On January 19, 2001, Bill Clinton's law license was suspended for five years after he acknowledged conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice in the Jones case.

January 20, 2001: Clinton issued 141 pardons and 36 commutations on his last day in office

On January 20, 2001, Bill Clinton issued 141 pardons and 36 commutations on his last day in office, leading to controversy surrounding Marc Rich and allegations about Hillary Clinton's brother.

2001: Kosovo court ruling on genocide

In 2001, the UN-supervised Supreme Court of Kosovo ruled that genocide did not take place in Kosovo, but recognized a systematic campaign of terror. The term "ethnic cleansing" was used as an alternative to "genocide."

2002: Flights on Epstein's plane for charity trips

From 2002 to 2003, Bill Clinton made numerous flights on Jeffrey Epstein's plane for charity trips.

2003: End of relationship and Birthday Message

In 2003, Bill Clinton's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein ended. Clinton sent him a message in his 2003 birthday greeting album.

July 2, 2011: The New York Times editorial criticizing DOMA

On July 2, 2011, The New York Times published an editorial characterizing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which was signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996, as one of his "worst policy moments."

November 2017: Donna Brazile Urges Clinton to Campaign

In November 2017, former DNC interim chair Donna Brazile urged Bill Clinton to campaign during the 2018 midterm elections, despite Kirsten Gillibrand's recent criticism of the Lewinsky scandal.

2017: FOIA request on Clinton's visit to Epstein's island

In 2017, a Freedom of Information Act request showed that Secret Service records found no evidence to back claims Bill Clinton ever visited Jeffrey Epstein's private Caribbean island in Little Saint James.

2018: Revisiting the Lewinsky Affair

In 2018, commentators, Democratic political leaders, and Monica Lewinsky revisited the Lewinsky affair, characterizing it as an abuse of power. Clinton stated he made the right decision in not resigning. The New York Times alleged the lack of Democratic candidates asking Clinton to campaign was a change attributed to the revised understanding of the Lewinsky scandal.

2018: Revisiting of sexual misconduct allegations in light of the #MeToo movement

In 2018, in light of the #MeToo movement, allegations of sexual misconduct against President Clinton were revisited, with many commentators and Democratic leaders now saying Clinton should have been compelled to resign after the Lewinsky affair.